12/19/2011
Contact:
Reed Hollinshead
Public Information Specialist
(208) 334-8881
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Responding to city input, no barriers planned for northern section of Eagle Road
EAGLE - Responding to community input, the Idaho Transportation Department will not install median barriers on Eagle Road from Oakhampton Drive (one-half mile north of Chinden Boulevard) to East Riverside Drive (just south of State Street). ITD's southwest Idaho District Engineer Dave Jones introduced the new proposal Dec. 8 at a meeting with Eagle city leaders and the public.
ITD still would install the medians in the portion of the project south of
Chinden to Franklin, where the city of Meridian and local law enforcement are
in favor of the separators.
The barriers were part of a proposed project next year to preserve the
highway’s surface. Studies show Eagle Road traffic will double north of Chinden
over the next 15-20 years. Improving safety and moving traffic more
efficiently is a focal point, but those considerations are balanced with the
community’s wishes.
“Our engineering analysis showed the barriers were warranted. But we need to
balance engineering with community input,” Jones said. “While our initial
public involvement efforts did not show opposition, we have clearly heard the
community’s preference.“
ITD met several times with Eagle city leaders, area business owners and the
public after concerns about the project were made.
“We appreciate ITD listening to the community and responding,” said Eagle Mayor
Jim Reynolds.
The preservation project will remove and replace the top layer of asphalt, and
will provide access-control barriers where supported. The project is estimated
to cost $6.5 million.
Eliminating the median separators in that northern section of Eagle Road will
save about $500,000 in the cost of the project.